A Cutural Prison

Throughout the Great Depression discrimination and racism were both major issues relating to Aboriginals. Jim

Through the construction of such characters as Jimmy and Gran the audience is influenced to see the horrendous efforts of the dominant white society in order to assimilate, subjugate and marginalise Aboriginals. Furthermore through Davis’ construction of such characters as Jimmy and Gran the audience is influenced to see that discrimination and assimilation are strong factors in the ongoing cultural survival of Aboriginals within a Western society. Throughout this stage play there is a constant tone of hopelessness for the future of the Aboriginal culture and in any attempt made by a character to resist white authority is countered by the oppressing dominant white culture. Therefore the characters are always finding themselves yielding to the oppressive white society and consequently being assimilated, subjugated and marginalized.

Wetjalas in this town don’t want us’ ere, don’t want our kids at the school, with their kids, and old Jimmy Mitchell’s tight’ coz they reckon Bert ‘Awke’s gonna give him a hidin’ in the election.”

“ No ‘mine, No ‘mine put this jeerung nreear on your back, fix you up quick and make you better.”

Some topics in this essay:
Western Culture, Government Aboriginals, Western Cultural, Jimmy Munday, Aboriginals Western, Mary Gran, Jack Davis, Jimmy Mitchell’s, Throughout Australian, Jimmy Gran, dominant white, white society, audience influenced, dominant white society, towards aboriginals, white authority, dominant white ideology, white ideology, davis’ construction, attitude towards aboriginals, discrimination assimilation, actively resisting, attitude towards, assimilated subjugated marginalized, audience influenced aboriginality,